This archive report was first published on 17 July 2020.
On July 17, 2020, human rights activist Boniface Mwangi shed light on a disturbing sexual exploitation scandal in Taita Taveta county.
According to Mwangi, the scandal involves Robert Sailewu, a rogue employer who was awarded a tender by the County government of Taita Taveta to supply food and human resources for three years.
Under Sailewu's management, female employees are subjected to sexual harassment and underpaid, with some earning a paltry monthly salary of Ksh 6000.
"Robert Sailewu was given a tender to hire cooks for Taveta Hospital. The workers report to work at 6am and work until 5pm. They’re paid 6000 shillings per month. The workers are being overworked and asked for sexual favors. This is exploitation to the core," Mwangi wrote.
The employees are expected to report to work at 4 am and work for 15 straight hours, with no transport provided. Those who do not comply with Sailewu's demands are threatened with dismissal, taking advantage of the unemployment situation.
There is no clear job description for the workers, who are constantly assigned tasks that were not part of their initial engagements as cooks.
